Casseday Takes Day on Iron Mountain

Iron Mountain 50 Mile Trail Run

September 29, 2007

Damascus, VA

Eric Grossman, RD

The morning dawned clear and cool for our 2^nd Iron Mountain Trail Run. The runners assembled in the town park of Damascus, VA, where in Spring AT thru-hikers converge for “Trail Days.” Fifty miles later runners would feel some of that buzz as they were welcomed back by the throngs of spectators – many of whom had come only to enjoy a day cycling the Virginia Creeper Trail.

Many entrants returned from last year and many more formed another cohort of first time fifty mile runners. The race up front was fortified by the addition of a handful of elite runners including the stalwart Annette Bednosky (NC). We all expected that she would mix it up at the front of the entire field that included several notable men – among them rock solid Drew Shelfer (NC) and relative newcomer Adam Casseday (WV). The unfolding races of these runners says a lot about race day strategy.

Casseday needed to establish himself as a front runner – in this race, among ultrarunners, and in his own mind. The first major climb comes after the five mile aid station. Casseday took control with a powerful move up the mile-long Beech Grove Trail that takes runners to the spine of the Iron Mountain. Shelfer has run enough ultras to know that runs can never be won – only lost – during the first five miles. He casually strode alongside runners who would eventually finish well behind him. By the 16 mile aid station Casseday had a nearly 10 minute lead. Shelfer had only been biding time, though, and soon started to close the gap. At mile 37 he had closed the gap to four minutes, and appeared to have gained the momentum. After a mild bonk back around mile 31, however, Casseday had been able to utilize the aid station to re-stock on nutrition and re-energize has run. Casseday maintained his lead on Shelfer throughout the last 13 miles of the race and finished the run in course record time.

Bednosky handily won among the women. She was never able to get fully off the ground, however, as she was hampered by GI issues. Annette’s indomitable approach to her runs – often in the face of difficulty – can help the rest of us understand her tremendous success.

The pervasive spirit of the day was captured as Steve Hite powered across the park to secure his position as an official finisher with just three minutes to spare before the 12 hour time limit. The crowd of onlookers roared as we were all buoyed by the emotions of hard won accomplishment.